Key facts
- Jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is joining a newly formed opposition party.
- Imamoglu resigned from his 17-year membership in the Republican People's Party (CHP).
- The move follows a court order that ousted the CHP's leadership.
- The New Party was launched by former CHP leader Ozgur Ozel and other lawmakers.
- Imamoglu is a political rival to President Tayyip Erdogan and is jailed pending trial on corruption charges.
Jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu announced on Wednesday that he is joining the newly formed New Party, a move that comes after a court order removed the leadership of his former party, the Republican People's Party (CHP).
Imamoglu stated he is resigning from his 17-year membership in the CHP, citing his beliefs regarding the country's future and his responsibility to the people. He expressed that the New Party represents a path toward a stronger, more democratic, and hopeful future for Turkey.
This development follows the recent launch of the New Party by former CHP leader Ozgur Ozel and approximately 90 other breakaway lawmakers. Their aim is to regroup and challenge President Tayyip Erdogan, who has been in power for 23 years.
Imamoglu, considered Erdogan's main political rival, has been in jail for over a year pending trial on corruption charges, which he denies. His election as the CHP's presidential candidate in March 2025 was preceded by the annulment of his university diploma, a requirement for candidacy.
The New Party is already the second-largest in parliament and is anticipated to draw significant support from CHP voters, potentially posing a new challenge to Erdogan. However, the splintering of the opposition could also benefit the president.
Opposition figures and some rights groups have characterized the ongoing crackdown, which has led to the jailing of hundreds of CHP officials and members since 2024, as politically motivated and undemocratic. The government maintains that the judiciary operates independently.